Siberian Retriever

The Siberanian Retriever, also known as the Husky Lab or the Lab Husky Mix, is a medium to large dog that can measure up to 25 inches tall. These
dogs are very friendly, playful, and affectionate. They are excellent
companions, are great as guide dogs, and work well for police purposes as these
dogs are very smart and obedient. The Siberian Retriever may have hunting instincts,
therefore early socialization is recommended. When properly trained and given the opportunity to interact, they do
great with children and other animals. This attractive hybrid has silky fur
that can be black, white, gray, chocolate, and a mix of these colors.

Purpose

Working Dog, Companion

Date of Origin

1990s

Ancestry

Siberian Husky, Labrador Retriever

Siberian Retriever Health

Average Size

Height: 21-25 inchesWeight: 45-60 lbs

Height: 20-24 inchesWeight: 40-55 lbs

Major Concerns

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Eye Problems

Skin Diseases

Minor Concerns

Degenerative Myelopathy

Arthritis

Occasional Diagnoses

None Known

Occasional Tests

Eye examination

Urinalysis

Neurological Examination

Blood Count

Complete Physical Examination

Siberian Retriever Breed History

The Siberian Retriver comes
from the breeding of a Labrador Retriever with a Siberian Husky. The breeding
of this designer-dog started two decades ago. The Labrador Retriever origins
are in Canada, more specifically in the northeastern Atlantic coast of the
country, in Newfoundland. At first, the breed was dubbed St. John’s dog after
the capital of the region of origin. In the 1700s, the local fishermen owned
Labradors for companion use and assistance with the catching of the fish. These dogs would work with the
fishermen during the day and spend the night with the family. It is believed
the St. John’s dog descended from the Newfoundland dog and small water dogs.
Eventually, the English noticed these dogs and observed their good disposition
and obedience, and decided to take them to England to be retrievers for
hunting. The second Earl of Malmesbury took St. John’s dogs to England in 1830,
being one of the first Englishmen to do it. He was also the first person to call these dogs Labradors. This breed was almost extinct in the 1880s and the Malmesbury family is credited with saving the
breed. In Newfoundland, the government set restrictions and taxes for having
these dogs. The restrictions were that one was allowed to own only one dog and having a female was highly
taxed. This caused the disappearance of the breed in the region. These dogs are
now the most popular breed in America and were recognized by the American Kennel
Club in 1917. The breed was imported in the 1920s and 1930s from England. The
Siberian Husky dogs are believed to come from the Chukchi, a Siberian tribe of
nomads. There’s not much information about this breed’s origin, but it is known
they are one of the oldest dog breeds thanks to DNA tests. The Chuckchi tribes
used the Siberian Huskies for fast transportation, and they were as well family
dogs, interacting with children. In 1908, this breed was imported to Alaska to
be sled dogs during the gold rush. The Huskies raced in the 408-mile dogsled
race All-Alaska Sweepstakes, and are still current competitors in the
Sweepstakes. It is recorded that the last Siberian Husky exportation from
Siberia was in 1930 when the borders were closed. The Husky was recognized by
the American Kennel Club in 1930.

Siberian Retriever Breed Appearance

The Siberian Retriever is a
large dog that can be up to 25 inches tall. They have a silky, double-layer coat
that can be short to medium in length. They come in a variety of colors like
black, white, golden, chocolate, tan, and a combination of any of these colors.
They can have piercing eyes in blue, brown, and hazel, and some dogs have
different-colored eyes, like one blue and one brown. Generally, the Husky Lab
dogs have a triangular-shaped head, with pointed ears that can be either droopy
or upright. These dogs have strong, athletic
bodies with a pointed, curled tail.

Eye Color Possibilities

Blue

Hazel

Brown

Amber

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Coat Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Gray

White

Cream

Coat Length

ShortMediumLong

Coat Density

SparseNormalDense

Coat Texture

StraightWiryWavyCurlyCorded

Siberian Retriever Breed Maintenance

The
Siberian Retriever is a double-coated breed, with silky hair that can be short to
medium length. They are moderate shedders, although they may experience seasonal high
shedding. Brushing daily with a pin brush is recommended to eliminate the dead hair and help them
maintain healthy skin. Their ears should be checked and cleaned weekly to
avoid infections, and their nails clipped when they get too long. Baths are required
when they get too dirty or smelly. Remember that bathing too often might
irritate and dry their skin. It is also recommended to brush their teeth three
times a week to avoid dental decay and other issues.

Brushes for Siberian Retriever

Pin Brush

Comb

Deshedder

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

DailyWeeklyMonthly

Siberian Retriever Temperament

The Siberian Retriever is an energetic, lively,
intelligent, and loyal dog. They crave a lot of attention and playtime, and
suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long. This hybrid is not a dog
recommended for people who travel too often, as they get depressed. They are happy
and active, and are great companions who will do best in a home with a yard. They do like to be
indoors with their family, especially when it’s raining. These dogs might
inherit a hunting instinct, therefore, early socialization is a must in order for
these dogs to have a good relationship with other animals. They are also great
with kids, but it is important to train the children to be careful and to respect the animal. This mixed-breed
is excellent for work as they are very trainable, obedient and eager to please.
They may also inherit the need to test their owners from the Husky side, so
remaining firm and positive is important.

Siberian Retriever Activity Requirements

These designer dogs require a lot of activity to stay
healthy and happy, and to avoid boredom. They live best in houses with a yard.
They require two daily walks also to avoid becoming overweight, as they may over eat and like to lay around thanks to their Labrador genes. These dogs also love swimming, as well as
interactive games like Frisbee, carting, and agility games as they need mental
stimulation. This breed is definitely for people with an active lifestyle and they will happily join you in running, jogging or fast walking. Taking them to a big park where
they can run leash-free is an excellent activity for them. These dogs will also accompany their owners very willingly on a cycling adventure, so they are great exercise companions.